President Bola Tinubu has called on participants in the Federal Government’s National Health Fellowship Programme to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, modesty, and bravery, assuring them that efforts are underway to safeguard their professional futures within the nation’s health system.
The President made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday during the maiden National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health, which also marked the inauguration of the second batch of fellows under the programme. The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is designed to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country. Each fellow is selected from one of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to ensure nationwide representation and grassroots impact.
Tinubu described the fellows as central to the realisation of the Renewed National Health Alliance, emphasizing that Nigeria’s younger generation continues to demonstrate promise and resilience. He expressed appreciation to the Health Ministry, state authorities, and development partners for sustaining the programme and nurturing a vision focused on long-term transformation.
According to him, the government is actively working through federal frameworks and in collaboration with international partners to create clear career pathways for the fellows. He also acknowledged that the Minister of Health and his team had encouraged state governments to organise befitting graduation ceremonies for the fellows upon completion of their assignments, describing their service as a contribution worthy of national gratitude. He urged them to embrace selflessness, noting that dedication to service would ultimately yield meaningful rewards.
Addressing members of the second cohort, Tinubu said the fellowship symbolises a redefined Nigeria where merit and competence create opportunities for growth and leadership. He reaffirmed his administration’s confidence in the capacity of young Nigerians and pledged to channel their dynamism into advancing national renewal, fostering dignity, and opening doors to leadership roles.
In a statement issued Wednesday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President was quoted as encouraging the fellows to collaborate closely with traditional and religious leaders to ensure effective service delivery at the community level. He described them as the operational backbone of a broader national health alliance, tasked with strengthening weak systems, providing reliable data for informed decision-making, and injecting renewed energy into communities seeking improved healthcare outcomes.
Tinubu also appealed to traditional and faith leaders to align with government initiatives aimed at achieving universal health coverage, stressing that collective commitment is vital to rebuilding hope and unity across the country. He reiterated that hope remains central to national progress and pledged continued efforts to sustain public confidence.
Beyond healthcare, the President reaffirmed his administration’s determination to tackle insecurity, expressing optimism that Nigeria would ultimately overcome prevailing security challenges.
In his remarks, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, commended the President for providing clear policy direction and leadership. He presented the 2025 State of Health Report to the President, explaining that it served as the foundation for discussions at the summit. Pate highlighted the inclusive nature of the engagement, noting that representatives from both Christian and Muslim communities were present to offer feedback and contribute insights to policy deliberations.
He further praised federal and state authorities for pursuing the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and advancing the collaborative Health Sector Compact, describing them as ambitious yet necessary steps toward revitalising the sector.
The summit brought together prominent traditional rulers and religious figures from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ortese Ayatsev, among others.
Also in attendance were the Christian Association of Nigeria President, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, and the Deputy President General (South) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Razaq Oladejo. Both leaders pledged to mobilise their respective constituencies in support of expanded community healthcare coverage, reinforcing a collective commitment to improving health outcomes nationwide.